Holtville all-stars force final game

July 09, 2001|By TIM YANNI, Sports Writer

Facing elimination from the District 22 9-10-year-old all-star little league tournament, the Holtville all-star team upset undefeated Calexico 6-3 to force a final game for the tournament championship.

Calexico entered the game needing a victory to wrap up the championship, but because the tournament is double elimination the two teams will play a final contest tonight.

Things were bad for Calexico from the start as Trevor Robinson grounded out right before Esau Madrigal got hit right in the face with a Travis Wilcox pitch in the first.

Madrigal was then thrown out at second on an Oscar Sanchez base knock. Sanchez was then thrown for the final out when he attempted to steal second.

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In the bottom of the first, Angel Tellez and Eric Pacheco walked, Wilcox got to first with a fielder's choice that sent Tellez to the dugout and Joe Allegranza hit a one-run single that scored Pacheco for the lead.

Allegranza next scored on an error before Jordan Brown and Junior Garcia each grounded out to end the first inning with Holtville leading 2-0.

Calexico was retired in order in the second inning.

In the bottom of the second frame, Holtville's T.J. Ibarra hit a single and Doug Lorente hit a double. Calexico made a fielding error, losing the ball in the Holtville dugout. Ibarra was awarded home and Lorente was went to third with only one out.

Tellez and Pacheco each walked to load the bases and Wilcox smacked a two-run single, scoring Lorente and Tellez to put Holtville up 5-0.

The inning ended when Allegranza and Brown each struck out.

In the fourth inning, Calexico saw a bit of light at the end of its tunnel as Holtville's Wilcox was replaced on the mound by Ibarra.

Madrigal was walked to start the inning and Sanchez hit a one-run triple to send in Madrigal for Calexico's first run. Sanchez found his way home on an error and Holtville's lead was cut to 5-2.

Armando Tapia hit a double for Calexico. The bases were loaded when Luis Briseno walked.

Holtville pulled Ibarra and went with Pacheco, who would finish the game.

Calexico's Michael Romero scored an RBI on a sacrifice fly. Marco Niebla was then thrown for the third out in the inning when Pacheco handled the ball and threw home for the force out. Holtville led 5-3 to end the inning.

In the bottom of the fourth, Holtville scored when Pacheco came home on a bases-loaded walk of Brown. The inning ended 6-3 in favor of Holtville when Preston Claverie struck out.

In the top of the sixth, Holtville clinched victory when Tapia grounded out, Briseno flied out and Jeremy Roldan struck out to end the game.

Holtville coach Mike Angulo said he was pleased with the win.

"It felt great," Angulo said. "We needed it."

He said his team did a good job hitting and pitching.

"Calexico's a tough team," Angulo said.

He added his team isn't ready to give up to Calexico, especially after Sunday's victory.

"They don't want to go on vacation yet," Angulo said. "I've got to take my hat off to my team."

He said he is optimistic about facing Calexico one more time.

"It's going to be hard, but we're going to come out and give it all we've got," he said. "I'm just proud of these kids. They're tough."

He said that he expects a competitive game tonight and he thinks his team has the potential to come out with another upset.

"They've all got to give 100 percent tomorrow or we'll be going home," he explained.

Calexico and Holtville will face off at 7:30 tonight at Eddie White Complex in El Centro.